Wild Horses of Alto. Save the Herd!

WILD HORSES OF ALTO (W.H.O.A!) disclaimer: this blog is in no way associated with the group WHOA (Wild Horse Observers Association). This blog has actually become like a vertical file in the library where important past documents - like newspaper articles - are filed and kept for research when needed. It has become almost a lesson in librarianship for me.

WILD HORSES OF ALTO The herd of wild horses in Alto, N.M., are the offspring of estray horses that roamed Sierra Blanca on Mescalero and National Forest land. Today the herds roam the same territory as well as dropping in to visit some of the subdivisions, such as Enchanted Forest, Sierra Vista, Sun Valley, LaJunta, Little Creek and occasionally Alto Lakes Golf & Country Club. For the most part, the herds are loved and welcomed. But sometimes not.

At this time, it is being decided in a court of law whether the horses are wild or domesticated (and therefore estray). At present, the horses fall under the auspices of the N.M. Livestock Board. We are trying to save all members the herd and other herds that exist in the area. We do NOT want to deny the horses the freedom they have known in the past and the comradeship the herd provides them.

To institute change in the policy and protect the future of our magnificent Wild Horses of Alto herd, we have a petition at https://www.change.org/p/new-mexico-governor-save-alto-wild-horses, a fundraising site for lawyers and feed/care at https://www.gofundme.com/altohorses, an account set up at City Bank-Ruidoso for donations to the "Wild Horses of Lincoln County Trust Fund" and an ongoing facebook group "Bring Ruidoso Horse's Back". Click on the Stallion's photo to go directly there.

PLEASE SPEAK UP, sign petitions, give to the trust fund for the horses. Sign up to this blog to get continual updates and to also post your own comments.

We LOVE our horse herd.

HELP save the Wild Horses of Alto (WHOA!) herd


Friday, September 9, 2016

IMPORTANT UPDATE!!!!!!!!

After more than three hours of often emotional testimony, and what is a clear victory for the Alto horses, Judge Daniel Bryant ruled that there was sufficient cause to order a temporary restraining order against the Livestock Board.  In essence, the Judge has ordered the horses returned to Alto, where they will be confined on private land in their original "neighborhood", until their legal status can be established by the court.  He also questioned, without prejudice, the legality of the Livestock Board's actions in this case (which will be investigated during the upcoming proceedings).

All in all, it was an impressive and well-run hearing; the judge seems knowledgeable, insightful, fair and very competent.  And it appears that there is sufficient legal support of the horses to carry this effort through to the
YEY!! Photo by David Tremblay
final determination of their legal status, which may result in their permanent release back into their home environment, and the prevention of this sort of action in the future.

It seems clear that the effort of the horses' advocates has given them a voice which is being heard by the justice system.
 
Courtesy of Carrizozo Community News
get community news by sending your email to: zozocommunity@tularosa.net

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